Construction News

A bill that would provide $500 million for the upgrading and expansion of highways and roadways in Colorado, while also putting on an upcoming ballot a $2.5 billion road bond, is working its way through the Colorado Legislature.

The $500 million would be specifically allocated for what are regarded as Colorado’s top tier transportation projects.

Senate Bill 18-001 would allot money from the state’s general fund to pay for such projects as the expansion of north to south Interstate 25, as well as I-70, which runs from east to west.

Under the provisions of the bill, sponsored by Senator Richard Baumgardner, about 10 percent of Colorado’s sales and use taxes would go for transportation projects.

While the $500 million allocation for highway projects has won the backing of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, he has been less enthused with the $2.5 billion road bond.

The legislation has made its way out of the Senate, but will face an uncertain future in the House.

Members in the lower chamber have been critical of what they say is an overemphasis on highway and road projects and would like, instead, to see more funding for multi-modal projects.